Donald Hayes Dillon

Donald Hayes Dillon, 72, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born Dec. 26, 1935, in Belhaven, North Carolina, to the late Louis and Ersel Dillon. He retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of service. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Manila and a member of the VFW Post 7057 in Gosnell.

Surviving are his wife, Delora Dillon of the home; a son and his wife, Tommy and Christy Dillon, of Manila; a daughter and her husband, Diane and Bruce Hay, of Blytheville; three brothers, L.C. Dillon and Ronald Dillon both of Belhaven and Larry Dillon of Manteo, North Carolina; sister, Barbara Elgin of Portsmouth, Vir.; two grandchildren, Mandy Carpenter and Bradley Dillon; five great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Carruth, Dylon Carruth, Bryce Carpenter, Jaicee Dillon and Ethan Dillon and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, David Dillon and Marshall Dillon, and a great-granddaughter, Ella Claire Carpenter.

A celebration of his life was held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Gregg Funeral Home Chapel in Monette with Revs. Ferrell Duffell, Joey Smithson and Jarrod Russell officiating. Burial with full military honors followed in Monette Memorial Cemetery.

Honored to serve as honorary pallbearers were Jim Mills, Barry Baker, Brian Baker, Lonnie Wright, Danny Robbins, Jim Hicks, Franklin Kirby and Thomas Jayco.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Dillon family at www.greggfunerals.com.